The prize is given for books that "illuminate the teen experience and enrich the lives of its readers through its excellence."
The nominees, announced this week: Elizabeth Bunce's (rhymes with once) "A Curse Dark as Gold"; Kristin Cashore's (ka-SHORE) "Graceling"; James Lecesne's "Absolute Brightness"; Christina Meldrum's (MEL-drum) "Madapple"; and Jenny Valentine's "Me, the Missing and the Dead."
The winner will be announced Jan. 26.
